Aristotle proposed that everything has a perfect version... a perfect form. What we see, everything that exists, is simply a ... shadow of a perfect form. He made very interesting arguments for this paradigm, and as with the concept of God, it isn't possible to prove or to disprove Aristotle effectively, because we simply don't know if this concept is plausible.
It makes me wonder on what it means to be perfect though.
Specifically, is perfection static or dynamic?
When I think of the concept of perfect, I think of something that is still, unchanging and remains static, because if it is perfect, why does it need to change?
I think that may be a fallacy however. How can something remain perfect if it is limited to never change? Or is it possible that if something is perfect, it is unlimited in potential but limited in form?
The reason I ask is because of the simple fact that I believe firmly that the faith of Islam, when interpreted correctly is perfect. However, does this mean that the way that Islam was interpreted a thousand years ago, is the same way in which it should be interpreted today? I would vehemently argue that this is not true, that the faith requires a new lens, it changes in it's practice, in it's interpretation over the years... but the essence... does that change? Can it change? Or is the question, must it change for it to be perfect?
Thinking carefully on it, I would say that the practice of the faith can and must change, however the ethical foundations underlying it cannot change, because they are perfect... so is the practice imperfect or are the practitioners?
Let's not forget God.
God is eternal, God is good, mercy, compassion, love - all spring from God. All of these characteristics change based on the situation... compassion is not a static concept, neither is love. However, God is perfect... so, is God static, is God fixed or is God a cosmic power that is always dynamic?
I know this last is a futile question because I think I suspect the answer. God is both and neither. Static and dynamic... for these terms are very physical expressions. God is beyond both. He does not need to express Himself as a static or as a dynamic.
That still doesn't solve the problem at the base of it all. In our human conception of the matter can something that is static meet the standards of perfection? Can something that is dynamic be perfect? Or is perfection beyond both, in which case - how can a religion that a billion people practice be perfect?
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ReplyDeleteIslam is perfect. It has to be because Allah said he has perfected it.
ReplyDelete"This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion." -- Qur'an 5:3, revealed upon the plain at Ghadir e Khum.
Islam is perfect so it does not change. But its interpretation changes from time to time. Now being an Ismaili Muslim we believe that the true interpretation of our faith is given to us by Hazar Imam, who is the bearer of the Knowledge and authority of every thing (Sura Yaseen, 36:12). So even though the practice of Islam is “changing” it is still perfect be cause the change is made by our Imam. I think this is what makes Islam perfect, that it can be interpreted differently (by the Imam) for changing times.
My Question is is there anything, any known phenomenon that is actually static?
If it doesn't change than can it be perfect?
ReplyDeleteIf it changes then can it be perfect?
In reality, both statements have both true and false as their answers.
The fact that our religion changes, but stays the same is great, however does this mean that it is perfect? If so, then how can it epitomize perfection if it changes, unless if we accept that perfection itself is a static... that is, to be perfect, something must be perfectly malleable.